Beşiktaş visit Czech side Hradec Králové today, August 6, 2026, in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round. The return match will be played in Istanbul on August 13. Beşiktaş advanced after defeating Midtjylland 3-0 on aggregate, while Hradec Králové earned their place in the tie with a 4-1 aggregate victory over Tromsø.
Beşiktaş won both matches against Midtjylland
Beşiktaş opened the second qualifying round with a 1-0 home win against Midtjylland in Istanbul. Orkun Kökçü scored the only goal of the first leg. The Turkish side then won the return match 2-0 in Denmark on July 30. Milot Rashica scored in the 70th minute before Kökçü converted a penalty in the 76th.
The two victories gave Beşiktaş a 3-0 aggregate result and a place in the third qualifying round without conceding a goal. A red card for Midtjylland affected the balance of the return match, but Beşiktaş still had to control the second half and turn their advantage into two goals. Their defensive record across the tie is one of the clearest positives before the trip to the Czech Republic.
Hradec Králové eliminated Tromsø 4-1 on aggregate
Hradec Králové won the first leg of their second-round tie 1-0 away to Tromsø in Norway. The Czech club followed that result with a 3-1 home victory in the return match. Mick van Buren, Tom Slončík and Ondřej Mihálik scored for Hradec Králové, while Heine Larsen provided Tromsø’s only goal.
The 4-1 aggregate score showed Hradec Králové’s attacking range, particularly in the home leg. Three different scorers in the return match suggest that Beşiktaş must deal with several attacking runs and finishing options rather than focusing on only one forward.
First leg in the Czech Republic, return in Istanbul
UEFA’s qualifying calendar places the third-round first legs on August 6 and the return matches on August 13. Hradec Králové host the opening game, with Beşiktaş staging the second leg in Istanbul. The away-goals rule is not used, so qualification will be decided by the aggregate score over the two matches.
The first-leg result will shape the tactical demands of the return match. A win or draw away from home would give Beşiktaş a useful platform in Istanbul. Hradec Králové, meanwhile, will aim to take advantage of home conditions and carry a positive result into the second meeting.
The previous round produced different strengths
Beşiktaş scored three goals and conceded none against Midtjylland. Hradec Králové scored four and conceded once against Tromsø. Those figures create a clear contrast between Beşiktaş’s defensive record and the Czech side’s broader attacking output. They do not guarantee the pattern of the new tie, but they help identify the main areas to watch.
For Beşiktaş, transitions after losing possession, second balls around the penalty area and defending set pieces are likely to be important. In attack, Rashica’s goal in Denmark and Kökçü’s contribution in both legs make them two of the most relevant names from the previous round. Hradec Králové showed that van Buren, Slončík and Mihálik can all provide goals.
The winners move into the play-off round
The winners of the third qualifying round will advance to the Europa League play-offs, scheduled for August 20 and August 27. Clubs that win their play-off tie qualify for the league phase. The Beşiktaş-Hradec Králové matchup is therefore a major step in both clubs’ European campaigns.
Confirmed kick-off time, broadcast details, referee appointments and starting line-ups should be checked through the final match-day announcements from UEFA and the clubs. This report was updated for August 6, 2026, with the qualifying results rechecked against official and independent sources.
